Source: The Expat magazine February 2011, article by Shinji Moriwaki
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This article has been edited for ExpatGoMalaysia.com
CHEF GIOVANNI’S LOVE for traditional Italian cooking is a family affair. After many years in the kitchen, his biggest inspirations are still his grandmother and his hometown of San Benedetto in southern Italy. Chef Giovanni brings to Senja his grandmother’s healthy and hearty approach to cooking, and his heritage of regional southern Italian dishes rich in Mediterranean flavours and locally-sourced ingredients. These influences de.ne Senja’s unpretentious home-style Italian cooking. Senja’s serene lake-side location and rich cosy ambience provide the prefect setting for Chef Giovanni’s creations and are ideal for a romantic Valentine’s Day with someone special.
With romance in mind, Chef Giovanni lovingly prepared for my partner and I his heart-warming Valentine’s Day 2011 menu. To start was Carpaccio di Salmone e Rucola, delicate salmon carpaccio on a bed of rucola leaves. This was followed by Zuppa di Pomodoro Fredda al Tartufo Nero, a delicious cold tomato soup with a hint of black truffle. The soup was presented as a glamorous cocktail, but had all the flavour and substance of a family recipe refined over generations. Next was Sorbetto al Cocomero e Lime, a tart and tangy sorbet meant to cleanse the palate in preparation for the courses to come. The main course was a choice of either Arista d’Agnello con Crosta di Mostarda e Erbe or Filetto di Merluzzo Gratinato con Pure’ di Fave e Pomodorini Confit. Each was memorable, but the rack of lamb with couscous was particularly impressive. Rather than miss out, we recommend that lovers order one of each and share! Dessert was a modern take on the banana split, Banana Split con Amore, deliciously different from the banana splits we had as children, but still satisfyingly familiar. Finally, white chocolate pralines prepared by Chef Giovanni himself, and a flower for the lady (in case the gent forgot!).
For more information, visit Senja on www.dinemalaysia.com
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